the Duke of Buckingham to peruse and give his sense upon it Master Shervil the Recorder of Salisbury was a Bencher of Lincolns-Inne and a very good friend of his he had divers Friends at Dorchester and was desirous to be sea-sick and was still enticed forward and at last resolved to wait upon the King and Duke at Plimmouth whether they were gone to see the Navy set sayl Whilest he was there the Rochel fleet was broken by those ships the King lent and Mounsieur Sabeeza came into Falmouth with the remainder and thence to Plimmouth with most lamentable out-cries against the Duke who seemed to be very much affected with it and made mighty Promises of wonderfull repairs but Doctor Preston failed not to set that businesse home he did believe the Duke was over-ruled to lend them and sorry when he saw the sad effects But whilest the Duke was thus detained in the West the Earl of Bristol and the Lord Keeper Williams combined against him and drew in many to their Party among others the Earl of Pembroke and divers great ones in the House of Commons and was so incouraged and heartned in it that the Earl of Bristol May 1. 1626. preferred in the House of Lords twelve Articles against the Duke of Buckingham tending to prove That the Duke had promised unto the Pope and Ministers of Spain to make the King a Papist and over-ruled him against the judgment of the Earl of Bristol to write unto the Pope with the title of Sanctissime Pater That his carriage in the matters of Religion was so offensive that he stuck not to kneel before the Host as often as he met it That he was so licentious and unchast in his behaviour that the Spanish Ministers resolved not to have any thing to do with him That when he could not bring about the Match to his own particular advantage he used means to obstruct it and break it off That he had informed King James of all these things who promised to hear him and leave the offender unto Justice and that not many daies before his sicknesse The Duke had now reason to look about him and was very able so to do and first he labours to divide the Party by drawing off the Earl of Pembroke by promising his Daughter to the Earl of Mountgomeries Sonne which afterward he did accomplish then he endeavoured to oblige the Puritans by gratifying Doctor Preston all the waies he could and particularly in the businesse of the Colledge-suit by depriving Bishop Williams of the Seal and giving it to Sir Thomas Coventry who was one of the Colledge-counsel yea he went so far as to nominate the Doctor to the King to be Lord Keeper and the King was so firm to him that the Earl of Bristol could do no good and so withdrew his Articles Doctor Prestons Friends were Newters all this while and looked on neither engaged for him nor against him which was sadly represented to the Duke by the Bishops and that Party who wondered he should dote upon a man that either could not or would not own him in his need bad him consider whether Puritans were like to be his Friends whose waies were toto coelo different and told him plainly he could not have them both If he adhered to those that sought their ruine they must adhere to such as would support them so that the Duke was in a great strait and knew not what to do Doctor Preston also was importuned to put it to an issue and if he would not leave the rotten and corrupted Clergy then to leave him and because there had been informations against that Book of Master Mountagues they propounded it might come to a debate and not remain as now it it did unsetled The Doctor and the Duke were both of them unwilling to an open breach loved for to temporise and wait upon events But Doctor Prestons friends would not be satisfied but urged a conference whereunto they were incouraged by some Orthodox and very learned Bishops and at last it was concluded by two religious Noble-men that a conference there should be the Bishop of Rochester and Doctor White then Dean of Carlisle on the one side and the Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield and Doctor Preston on the other A day was set a Satturday in Hillary-Tearm at four of the clock in the afternoon the place was York-house and Doctor Preston sent to in the morning for to attend it The Noble-men came unto the Bishops lodgings about two of the clock and sent for Doctor Preston to them who gave many reasons why he could not go but they were resolute and taking the Bishop with them went without him but the Doctor considering and fearing his absence might betray the cause and give encouragement unto the other side went afterward himself unto the place and sate by as an hearer silent untill all was done but talking afterwards occasionally of falling from grace the Bishop shewed that a godly man might go far and yet return by the instance of the Prodigal Luk. 15. but Doctor White exclaimed against any that should think the Prodigal in acts of drunkennesse and whoredome not to be fallen from grace and urged that of the Apostle Rom. 1.32 That those that do such things are worthy of death that is said he in a state of everlasting death and therefore fallen from grace so 1 Cor. 6.9 10. shall not inherit the Kingdome of God that is are not sons for if sons then heirs Rom. 8.17 But Doctor Preston answered that these sins made indeed a forfeiture of all their interest into the hands of God and he might make the seisure if he pleased but did not unto those which were his children and in Covenant with him as two Tennants by not paying of their Rent or keeping Covenants forfeited their Leases yet the Lord might seize the one and not the other as he pleased But the Bishop and the Dean both cried out this was the way to all licentiousness and looseness To which the Doctor answered That the seed of God as the Apostle calls it 1 Joh. 3.9 remained in the sinning Saint or Sonne and would repair him as in water there remains a principle of cold even when it boyleth over that will undoubtedly reduce it when the heat and fire is removed as in Peter David Sampson and others was apparent so that they could not run out into all licentiousnesse for the spirit lusted against the flesh that they cannot do the things they would Gal. 5.17 and though he did not disinherit them and blot their names out of the Book of life Phil. 4.3 yet he might and would withdraw his favour imbitter all their comforts Mat. 26.75 raise trouble to them from their dearest interests 2 Sam. 12.11 fill them with anguish Psal. 38.3 4. which in reason will keep them from running out seeing the evil is commensurable unto that good of pleasure or profit their sinne afforded and if need be he can
place sometimes by slie and false informations against him sometimes by open railing and false libels sometimes by secret backbitings yea at last their malice proceeded so far that they practised his death by poysoning but by Gods good providence the snares were broken and he was delivered Having thus continued Bishop about three years it pleased God to take away that famous English Josiah King Edward and his sister Mary succeeding him the face of Religion was soon altered and this good Bishop amongst others was deprived and clapt up in Prison And though the malice of the then Prelates and Arch-Papists against him was very great who also had sworn his death yet it pleased God most miraculously to preserve and deliver him out of their hands which was effected by this meanes The good King Christian of Denmark having formerly known him at his being in Germany wrote divers times and sued so earnestly and effectually to Queen Mary for him that at last he was dismissed out of Prison and suffered to go over into Denmark There he staied a while and afterwards with the leave of the King went into Germany to his former worthy friend the noble Elector of the Rheine who most willingly received him and restored him to his former Benefice of Burghsaber The reason why he staied no longer with his deliverer the King of Denmark but chose rather to go into the Palatinate was because he could Preach in the Dutch language but not in the Danish Tongue At Burghsaber he remained a faithfull and painfull Preacher all Queen Maries daies till hearing of her death and of the change of Religion under Queen Elizabeth he once again returned into his native Country His Bishoprick was reserved for him till his return and then sundry times profered him but he would by no meanes accept thereof but chose rather to live a more private life yet not out of action for he continued in London teaching and preaching the Gospel so long as the strength of his body would permit and at length being very old and stricken in years he died comfortably and peaceably in the Lord being about eighty years old January 20. Anno Christi 1568. and was honourably buried under a fair Stone in the Chancel of Bartholomews Exchange in London upon which Stone is engraven this Epitaph In obitum Reverendissimi Patris Milonis Coverdale OGDO ASTICHON Hic tandem requiemque ferens finemque laborum Ossa Coverdali mortua Tumbus habet Exoniae qui Praesul erat dignissimus olim Insignis vitae vir probitate suae Octoginta annos grandaevus vixit unus Indignum passus saepius exilium Sic demum variis jactatum casibus ista Excepit gremio terra benigna suo Dr. SANDES The Life of Doctor Sands Archbishop of York who died Anno Christi 1588. EDwin Sands was born of an ancient and worthy Family about the year 1528. and being trained up in Learning he so profited therein both in the Countrey and University that he was chosen Master of Katharine Hall in Cambridge and having Commenced Doctor he was made Vice-Chancellor of that University at which time that blessed King Edward the sixth dying and the Lady Jane Grey being proclaimed Queen as we have heard before the Duke of Northumberland was sent with an Army to apprehend the Lady Mary And when he came to Cambridge he sent for Dr Sands the then Vicechancellor and some other Doctors to sup with him and at supper required Dr Sands to preach on the morrow The warning was short for such an occasion and Auditory yet he refused it not but went home and so to bed The next morning he arose at three a clock and having prayed a good while rose up took his Bible in his hand and closing his eyes earnestly prayed to God that it might fall open at a fit Text for the present occasion and accordingly it opened and the first Text that he cast his eye upon was Joshua 1.16 17 18. And they answered Joshua saying All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest us we will go according as we hearkened to Moses in all things so will we hearken unto thee only the Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment and will not hearken to thy words in all that thou commandest him he shall be put to death only be strong and of a good courage This Text he prosecuted with such prudence and affection as drew many tears from the eyes of his Auditors After Sermon the Duke and other Nobles desired him to Print his Sermon and he only required a day and an halfs time for the writing of it at the end whereof he delivered it to Mr Leaver who was presently to carry it to London to the Presse But just at that instant came one of the Beadles to him weeping and bad him shift for himself for said he the Duke is retired and Queen Mary is proclaimed Dr Sands was nothing troubled herewith but delivered his Sermon to Mr Leaver and so went to dinner to Mr Moores one of the Beadles his great Friend At dinner being of an undaunted courage and cheerfull disposition he was very merry Mistress Moore drinking to him said Mr Vicechancellor I drink to you this being the last time that ever I shall see you which accordingly proved true That night the Duke sent for him to joyn with him in proclaiming Queen Mary and then told him that the Queen was mercifull and that he hoped for a generall pardon to which Dr. Sands answered My life is not dear unto me neither have I done or said any thing that troubleth my conscience For what I spake of the State I have instructions signed by sixteen Counsellors to warrant me therein neither can speeches be treason nor yet have I spoken any thing but what the Word of God and the Lawes of the Land will bear me out in therefore the will of the Lord be done But be you assured my Lord you shall never escape death for if the Queen should spare you they that now shall rule will kill you That night the Duke was apprehended and some were as busie about Dr. Sands but Sir John Gates that lay in the Doctors house drave them away The next day Dr. Sands was walked into the fields when the University in an irregular manner meeting together ordered Dr. Mouse and Dr. Hatcher to go to Dr. Sands his house to fetch away the University Statutes the Keyes and such other things as were in his custody which accordingly they did and Dr. Mouse who the day before was an earnest Protestant was now turned a zealous Papist and a great enemy to Dr. Sands from whom he had received great curtesies That afternoon a Congregation was appointed by them and the bell rang to it when Dr. Sands coming out of the fields sent for the Beadles asking what
of the Queen and State wrote to Master Cartwright earnestly requesting him to undertake the work assuring him also of such aid as should further him in the finishing thereof for which end he sent him one hundred pounds towards the charges of buying Books and procuring Writers which were to be employed by him therein This was Anno 1583. The same year also he was earnestly sollicited by the most learned men of the University of Cambridge by a solemn Epistle with joynt consent written to him to undertake the answer wherein amongst other passages they have these expressions With you we are earnest most Reverend Cartwright that you would set your self against the unhallowed endeavours of these mischievous men either by refuting the whole Book or at least some part thereof It is not for every man Work-man-like to frame Gods Tabernacle but for Bazaleel and Aholiab neither is every one rashly to be thrust forth into the Lords battels but such Captains are to be chosen from amongst Davids Worthies Of which as we acknowledge you to be one by the former battels undergone for the wals of our City the Church we doubt not if you will enter this War which truly you ought to 〈◊〉 according to the Zeal and Piety you bear to your Countrey and Religion but that you fighting for Conscience and Countrey yea even for the very inmost holy place of the Temple will be able to tread underfoot the forces of the Jebusites which set themselves to assault the Tower of David Moreover which may marvellously sharpen the edge of your courage you are not now to fight with a Brother or fellow of the same Religion which maketh the Conflict more faint but with the most inveterate enemies of Jesus Christ c. Then they thus conclude You see to what an honourable fight we invite you Christs business shall be undertaken against Satans Champions We stir you up to fight the battels of our Lord where the Victory is certain which the triumph and applause of the Angels will ensue Our Prayers shall never be wanting unto you Christ without doubt whose cause is defended will be preset with you The Lord Jesus much increase your courage and strength and keep you very long in safety for his Churches good Vale. This was subscribed by Roger Goad William Whittaker Thomas Crook John Ireton William Fulk John Field Nicholas Crane Giles Seintler Richard Gardener William Charke c. But besides these the Reverend Ministers of London and Suffolk did by their several letters earnestly exhort him to this work and Master Cartwright was at last by these importunities drawn to undertake it and neither diligence nor constancy was wanting in him to have carried it on to perfection but he met with such great discouragements and hinderances from Potent Adversaries that he was forced often to lay pen aside yea Arch-Bishop Whitgift sent him a positive command that he should deal no further in it yet afterwards by an Earl and privy Counsellor of great note and some other noble Personages he was at last drawn to take pen in hand again But receiving new discouragements and having such continual employment in the Ministry he lived not to perfect that work Whilst he was at Warwick being silenced by the Bishops he was requested by the Lord Zouch Governour of Gernsey to go with him into that Island with whom he continued some time and in the mean space he substituted one Master Lord a godly and holy Minister then living at Woolstone in his room at the Hospital in Warwick allowing him the greatest part of the profits of the place during his abode there and the rest he caused to be distributed amongst the poor He was far from seeking after great places or great things in the world and for riches he sought them not yea he rejected many opportunities whereby he might have enriched himself His usual manner was when he had good summes of gold sent him to take only one piece lest he should seem to slight his Friends kindnesse and to send back the rest with a thankfull acknowledgement of their love and his acceptance of it professing that for that condition wherein God had set him he was as well furnished as they for their high and great places His manner was not to keep any more money in his purse but what might serve for charitable uses He was very bountifull to poor Schollers He distributed money every Sabbath-day amongst the poor of the Town of Warwick besides what he gave to the Prisoners and upon other occasions both at home and abroad For his Houshold affairs he never troubled himself with them but wholly left them to be ordered and managed by the Prudence of his Wife He was very carefull to regulate and order the businesses of the Hospital for the best advantage of the poor Brethren He continued his diligence and assiduity in his studies even in his old age and his usual manner was to rise at two three and four a clock in the morning at the latest both summer and winter notwithstanding that his bodily infirmities were such that he was forced to study continually kneeling upon his knees He was of a very meek and quiet spirit as appears in those conflicts which he had with Doctor Whitgift and Doctor Sutcliffe wherein he used soft words and hard arguments he could not endure so much as in private to hear his adversaries reproached and if any in his presence used disgracefull speeches of them he would sharply reprove them for it saying That it 's a Christians duty to pray for and not to reproach his adversaries and when Martin Mar-Prelates Book came forth he shewed much dislike of the Satyrical and tart language used therein He was also very humble not enduring to hear any thing spoken in his own commendation or any titles given him which in the least measure savoured of ambition He affected not popularity but avoided it as much as possibly he could Indeed all his ambition was to advance the Kingdom and cause of our Lord Jesus Christ and to promote Gods glory It was the great joy and rejoycing of his heart to hear of the welfare and prosperity of the Churches at home and abroad for this he earnestly and daily prayed and when he heard any ill tydings with Nehemiah he sate down and mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven so that all that conversed with him might easily discern that nothing did affect him in any degree like the good or ill tydings of the Churches state He was frequent in Prayer every day and in his younger years hath risen many times in the night to seek our private places to pray in And as his labours were very great in the work of the Ministry so it pleased the Lord to make them very successefull for the conversion and confirmation of many and for terrour and restraint
with the Sermon and did approve it The Duke of Buckingham was a wise man and apprehensive of what Sir Ralph suggested seasonably saw those they called Puritans were growing and in the Parliament were thought considerable knew that the Kings affections might cool and he might need friends and took Sir Ralphs discourse into his most serious thoughts An honest man one Master Packer was then his Secretary and he set on what Sir Ralph Freeman had suggested and so it came unto a resolution that Master Preston should be owned and the Duke commanded Sir Ralph Freeman to go to Master Preston from him and acquaint him with his good opinion of him and desire to see him and indeed there was such a concurrence and concentring of opinions and desires among the Courtiers that it was assured Master Preston he might be Chaplain unto whom he would and that was now the deliberation which of these offers he should accept and whom he would acknowledge his Patron and Protector for the time to come There was not so few Clergy men at Court at any time and so no kind of opposition yet the King himself hung back and would do nothing hastily he was not reconcileable unto the Puritans and so desired not in that respect for to ingage him but he desired to deprive them of Master Preston and to divide him from them and would do any thing that might drive that on and considering how many he had wonne that Master Preston was a young man and might be drawn on he would not hinder nor oppose so it was the joynt opinion of all his friends that the best preferment was to be the Princes Chaplain who then was grown and had an houshold This therefore was represented unto Sir Ralph Freeman and his opinion required who quickly yielded and proposed it unto the Duke both Prince and Duke had been abroad and neither of them heard the Sermon when therefore Master Preston was brought unto the Duke he very seriously received him told him it was the Prince his unhappinesse and his to be absent when he did preach and therefore desired him that he would vouchsafe a Copy of his Sermon to him and believe that he would be ready to the best and utmost of his power to serve him There were many other Courtiers that desired Copies of the Sermon and the Court not staying there Master Preston came home to furnish Copies He never penned Sermon word for word but wrote what came into his mind and as it came and that in no good hand and so it was a businesse to provide these Copies which yet he seriously attended till they were written fair and then to Court he goes where the Duke presents him to the Prince and so he was made and admitted Chaplain to the Prince in Ordinary for as then the Prince had not compleated the number he intended which was six who were accordingly to wait two moneths by the year and preach unto the houshold upon the Lords daies and perform such duties as were required of them But God was making other work for Master Preston for Doctor Tolson Bishop of Salisbury dies and leaves a Wife and many Children unprovided for for he had been Bishop but a little while This Wife of his was Doctor Davenants Sister in pity therefore and commiseration of her case it was proposed to the King by those that were his Friends that Doctor Davenant a single man and well-deserving might succeed his Brother in the Bishoprick and so make some provision for his Children The King thought very well of Doctor Davenant not only for his singular abilities and labours in the University but for his pains also and service in the Synod of Dort against Arminius and it was looked on as a deed of charity and so believed he would carry it and be the man But this created Master Prestons cares Doctor Davenant had been his constant and faithfull Friend and given countenance upon all occasions to him and all his Pupils But now who should succeed and where should Master Preston find another shelter The Fellows for the most part were not his Friends envied his numbers and great relations and there was no man like so to befriend him Besides the Margaret-Professors place would be void also by this remove and many able stirring Batchelors in Divinity proposed unto him that place and assured him the Election would be easily carried for him The truth is he had no great hope to do any great good in the Election of the Master of the Colledge and one Doctor Mansel being named a very moderate good-natured man he let that care fall and was more anxious about the Professors place for though sound doctrine in the University was of much use yet English preaching was like to work more and win more souls to God He alwaies highly valued and frequently consulted with Master Dod and he perswaded English preaching as that wherein God was more immediately served and said there were others that might supply the University in the Professors place that either could not or would not labour mens Conversion And indeed the Master of Sidney-Colledge Doctor Ward a vast Scholar was then in view and nomination for the Professors place yet Master Preston was so solicited by honest men that he knew not what to do Two things he thought he wanted to enable him The one was a Latine tongue the other a Latine style in both which by reason of desuetude he was unready For his style therefore he resolves upon an exact and logical Analysis of all the Epistles which would actuate and exercise his style and acquaint him with the Scripture-phrase and language and if he were called to be Professour might serve for Lectures in the Schooles which work he immediately applied himself unto and very happily compleated a work of great pains unto him and in it self of great worth but being Latine and written only with his own ill hand was not thought popular enough to come abroad but lieth in the dark For the exercising of his Latine tongue he resolves a journey into the Netherlands where he should have much occasion of speaking Latine and see those Colledges and Universities but there was no travelling beyond Sea without a License under the hands of Privy-Counsellors this he procures among his Friends with all the secrecy that could be and a great while before he meant to use it that he might conceale it from the Colledge and University but this his secrecy begat suspition that there was some plot Velle putant quodcunque potest It is not safe for men to have abilities It was resented so much the more because no Clergy man was made acquainted with it and the opinion was that something was brewing against Episcopacy This they were sure of that Amsterdam was in the Netherlands and ever had been fatal to the Hierarchy The Lord Keeper then was Bishop Williams he sees this plague afar off Prov. 22.3 and provides a Messenger
imperium adoptato nihil in vultu mutatum quasi magis imperare posset quam vellet His honours altered nothing in him but gave encouragement to all the godly Party and his Sermons at Lincolns-Inne much wrought upon the Parliament so that a bold Petition was contrived and presented to the King at Whitehall from both Houses of Parliament April 23. 1624. against the spreading and increase of Popery and the Indulgence given unto Priests and Jesuites King James was in the evening of his glory his Party in the Court under a cloud another Sun almost in view and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or day-star already risen and accordingly he answered warily to their Petition bewails his want of information as the reall ground of this their trouble which otherwise he had prevented acknowledged that whilest the Treaties lasted with Spain and Austria he was obliged to comply but now both being broken off he would be rigid and severe against the Priests and Jesuites bids them find out a way for to restrain the growth of Popery and he would second them but resolves to pay the Duke of Buckingham for all this and gives order to the Earl of Bristol to prepare an information for that end but the Match with France and other intervenient accidents obstruct it for the present The Duke having told tales out of School and broken off the Match with Spain was much obliged to further and promote the French which he did seriously excuse to Doctor Preston upon this ground that there was not any Protestant for to be had and for to marry with a subject had alwaies been unlucky and fatal to the Kings of England that the French would not be ridged in religious observations but the Doctor constantly opposed only acknowledged this difference that Spanish Popery was an absolute ingredient to their intended Western Monarchy but French was not so and so this was lesse evil But the French found out this obligation and were untractable unlesse the Duke would aid the King of France against the Rochellers This was a hard chapter for one so much obliged unto the Puritans and Doctor Preston and he therefore declined all he could but nothing else would serve and he knew King James lay ready to take advantages so in Conclusion eight Ships were granted to oppose the Rochel-fleet and many colours sought to cloude it and hide it from the world but from that time Doctor Preston doubted of the Saint-ship of the Duke of Buckingham whom otherwise he honoured and loved very much But it was high time for the Duke to look about him King James was not to learn now how for to play his Game he was an old but not a foolish King Eccl. 4.13 and therefore failed not to make Provision and lay rods in pisse that he might use upon occasion Kings use for to account an ague in the Spring their Physick yet Physick till March be past is not good but this ague antidates the moneths and comes in February The King was then at Theobalds and the Ague was made but small account of He feared death but was the most impatient and disordered of any living what rules soever the Physicians gave he would observe none which intemperance might very well occasion the growing strength and vigour of the disease which howsoever more and more increased and at last began to be considerable then he began to take advice and to submit to rules but now it was too late for March 27. 1625. on the Lords day in the morning about ten of the clock at Theobalds the King dies Doctor Preston then attended in his moneth and was sometimes hastened to the Prince to comfort him and sometimes to the Duke and indeed it was a very mournfull morning Death is a serious thing and knocks alike at Pallaces as at the meanest Cottage King James was very much beloved of all his servants some of the Huntsmen could not be gotten from him the Prince and Duke were both of them retired and wept exceedingly But Sir Edward Conwey and some of the Lords drew up a Wiring and proclaimed Charles Steward King with all his Titles and hast was made to pack away to London The Prince and Duke and Doctor Preston in Coaches shut down hasten to White-hall and there he is proclaimed again with more formalities and the Lord Maior and the City sent to where it was done with much solemnity and great rejoycing of the people for the Prince had that exceeding happinesse to come upon the stage unprejudiced For he had never interposed nor acted but in the Spanish businesse and that succeeded to his great advantage so that if he listed he might have been as popular as ever any were This fall occasions many alterations in the Court the Bishops generally and Doctor Prestons enemies and all that had contended with the Duke were Crest-fallen King James was like enough to have out-lived the Duke of Buckingham who had been very sick since his return from Spain but all is altered and the Duke does all But he had many things to do the affronts received in Madrid and at the Counsel-table by the Agent were to be sent back by a puissant and mighty Navy and Provisions made accordingly King James to be interr'd a Parliament to be summoned the French Lady to be sent for and brought into England which the Duke especially intended and spake to all the Gallants of his Retinue to attend him and to many other of the Gentry and Nobility throughout the Kingdome But he found it hard thus in the morning of the Kings affairs to be abroad there being then a Parliament and the sicknesse much encreasing in the City so he was constrained to employ the Earl of Holland and attend himself at home All were not gratified in this great revolution and mutation of affairs and the discontented Party murmured and let flie at the Duke and the sicknesse much encreasing began to make a mutiny and it was much desired that the Parliament might be prorogued till some other more healthfull and lesse dangerous time But the Navy against the Spaniards and the pressing wants of all sorts that depended on the Court would not permit so it was only adjourned to Oxford yet there the sicknesse was as soon as they and some of their Members smarted for it but hast was made to gratifie the new King and the Provisions for the Navy went forward many men ingaged and the King resolved to attend that businesse as admitting no delay There was one thing that invited Doctor Preston to a journey that year and that was a strong suspition that the plague was in the town in which case there is a liberty to dissolve the Colledge without any detriment unto the Officers and Members of it He was not willing to omit the opportunity because he had many invitations into the West The Bishop of Salisbury he desired to consult withall about a Book of Master Montagues that was commended to him by
The Presbyterians Champion yet he hath raised up other Worthies who do strenuously gain-say those extravagancies When his nature was enfeebled by constant study and great long-continued labours he passed the time of his languishing sicknesse with a sweet humble divine peaceable spirit He preached in publique so long as bodily ability could bear it and he continued to pray in his Family till strength failed Now his addresses to God were most holy and heavenly as Swan-like Songs the sweetest at last Though he spake not very much during his bodily decays yet the words which he used were solid and savoury Being asked what he thought of himself whether he should now die or recover he answered I do not trouble my self about that matter He often bewailed the infirmities of his life and in special now as at former times his inconsiderate entring upon the weighty Calling of the Ministry but he manifested withall an holy child-like confidence in Christ still strengthening his heart after his humble mourning for sinne with this consideration that the Scripture mentioneth weaknesses in the choicest Saints which were neither totall hinderances to the exercise of their faith in Christ nor to their salvation through grace This question being propounded to him what he now thought concerning his labours part whereof were then printed against the present separation in England He answered that though he had been weary of those controversies which hindered his going on in more profitable studies yet he did not repent of that which he had done only he desired God to pardon the defects which had cleaved unto that and his other services When any mention was made before him of his great labours to do good he would say and this was a speech which he much used If the Lord were not a God pardoning sinnes I was in a miserable condition And however he did say with tears that he had too much respect amongst men and that many judged that to be in him which was not such was his humility yet friends expressing ardent desires of his health for service sake he told them that he could have been content to have lived longer if the Lord had been pleased that he might been further usefull in his place and have born his share in sufferings with his Brethren For he expected a very sparp storm though he hoped it would be but short And he called it The last combate which we should have with Antichrist When towards his end he was asked how he did he would thus answer with a cheerfull contenance Going to heaven apace And as his conversation had for many years been in heaven the Lord who had ripened him for immediate Commu-with himself took him unto himself Octob. 20. 1640. and of his age about 55. The materials of this Narrative concerning the pious fruitfull life of that faithfull Servant of Christ Master John Ball were received from these Ministers of the Gospel and men of known integrity viz. Master John Taylor of Checkley in Staffordshire who was his Countrey-man and of his most ancient acquaintance Master Thomas Langley of Middlewich in Cheshire who besides his former intimatenesse continued under his Ministry above five years he being taken off from the exercise of his own Ministry by Episcopal power Master Simeon Ashe of St. Austins London who for the space of many years had been his bosome Friend and from Master George Crosse of Clifton in Staffordshre who daily conversed with him for sundry moneths both before and in the time of his last sicknesse who all of them do acknowledge themselves obliged to God for the spiritual good gained by this their dearly respected and much honoured Friend and Brother who since his death have been very sensible of their great losse by his removall But they and all others must learn to live upon Divine-immutable-All-sufficiency when creatures do fail Now the Just shall live by his Faith The Life of Doctor Potter who died Anno Christi 1642. BArnaby Pottor was born in Westmerland Anno Christi 1578. within the Baronry of Kendal and brought up at School there till he was fitted for the University Thence he was sent to Queens Colledge in Oxford where he was chosen first a Scholar of the House then a Fellow and afterward Provost Whilest he was Fellow he was a very carefull Tutor to many worthy Gentlemens sons whom he trained up in Learning but especially in true Religion He was a very humble and meek man a man of few words a sweet Preacher and a favourer of strict Professors of Religion It was the fashion and custom of the Fellows after dinner to sit or stand a while at the Hall door and discourse usually of divers points of Religion or of good Writers and sometimes of other trivial matters This man on a certain time when he heard them talk of many trivial things said nothing but observed what they said and when they had done talking he thus bespake them Now my Masters will you hear all your extravagant discourses for I have strictly observed and marked what you said and he told them every whit and they admired him for his memory It was his custom first to write one part of his Sermon and to commit it to memory presently and then another so that he could preach with much facility and upon a little warning He was for a while Lecturer at Abington and at Totnesse in Devonshire where he was much respected Then he proceeded Doctor in Divinity and was preferred by Sir Edward Giles to a Pastoral Charge which Knight was a worthy Gentleman in his Countrey and often chosen a Parliament man for Devon Doctor Potter married the Lady Giles her daughter when he was Doctor but of a years standing Not long after Doctor Ayray a worthy Provost of Qeens Colledge died whereupon he was chosen to succeed him in the Provostship with the unanimous consent of the Fellows when he was far from the University and never dreamed of any such preferment He was also Chaplain in ordinary to Prince Charles and accounted at the Court the penetential Preacher When he had been Provost about the space of ten years he resigned his place and went to his Pastoral charge in the Countrey and there resided yet he had not been there long but King Charles his Master cast a favourable aspect upon him and seeing he had not rewarded him for his long and faithfull service he chose him to be Bishop of Carlisle and though many sued for the place yet he said peremptorily that none but Potter should have it and surely his gracious Master honoured not him so much as he did himself and that age in the freedom of his noble and unexpected choice That which Nazianzen said of Basil may be fitly and properly said of this Bishop He was promoted he did not steal or shuffle himself into the chair he did not invade it the honour sought and followed him
in the afternoon and kept a Lecture on the Wednesday constantly and besides this he was one of the five Ministers who held up the Lecture at Banbury He gave himself much to Fasting and Prayer and as his seeds-time was painfull so his Harvest was gainfull hundreds of souls being converted by his Ministry He was given to Hospitality delighting therein keeping a constant Table on the Sabbath and on the Wednesdays Lecture upon which daies he had not under eight or twelve persons commonly dining with him and he spent the time amongst them in spiritual exhortation and conference He was about thirty years old when he came to Hanwel and continued there above twenty years where he had twelve Children by his dear Wife formerly Anne Bound Daughter-in-law to the worthy Servant of Jesus Christ Master Greenham of Draighton near Cambridge and Daughter to Doctor Bound she was one that truly feared God and after her decease by the perswasion of some Friends he took to Wife Mistresse Cleiton who then lived at Stratford Bowe she also was a godly woman and he was contracted to her by Master Egerton of Black-Fryers and married by his ancient and loving Friend Doctor Gouge But to return back again to Hanwel it pleased the Lord to give a great blessing to his Ministry in that place yet he had much trouble from the envy of some Ministers that lived about him who though they seldome preached themselves yet they would not suffer that their people should go from them and hence he was frequently questioned in the Bishops Courts And besides this though some of Hanwel were very courteous and kind yet there were some others who were glad to get from him what they could and to keep from him what they could thinking that that which he had was too much Upon a time Master Dod took a journey to Draighton to bemoan himself to his Father-in-law Master Greenham by reason of his crosses and hard usage Master Greenham heard him what he could say and when he had done answered him thus Son Son when affliction lieth heavy sin lieth light This deserves the rather to be remembred because Master Dod used often to blesse God for it saying also that if Master Greenham had bemoaned him which he expected he had done him hurt and he forgot not this speech in his old age but made excellent use of it for himself and others He was suspended from his Ministry at Hanwel by Doctor Bridges Bishop of Oxford And suspecting what would follow the Sabbath before he went to the Visitation he gave his hearers a farewell Sermon out of that text I will smite the Shepherd and the Sheep shall be scattered the people did attend unto him with sad countenances and weeping eyes Being thus driven from Hanwel he preached at Fenni-Compton in Warwickshire where he had but small means but he was desirous to be doing good From thence he had a fair call unto Cannons-Ashby in Northamptonshire where he lived quietly divers years preached over the whole Prophesie of Danel with some other Scriptures having much kindnesse from Sir Erasmas Dryden in whom there was a rare mixture of Piety and Learning and good affection from Master Cope He was silenced from preaching at Ashby upon a complaint made against him by Bishop Neal to King James who commanded the Arch-bishop Abbot to silence him Then he ceased for some time to preach publiquely yet in regard of his heavenly gift in conference he might have been said daily to preach privately he was in his element when he was discoursing of heavenly things And God in goodnesse so ordered it that when he was restrained from publique preaching yet himself conceived that at that time his life was no lesse profitable then it had been in former times He had much employment in comforting such as were wounded in their spirits being sent for not only nigh at hand but also into remote Countries There was a Gentlewoman who had a great worldly estate and a loving Husband but she was so sadly assaulted with tentations that she often attempted to make away her self Master Dod was sent for to come to her and the Lord so blessed his Councels Exhortations and Prayers that she did not only recover out of her anguish of spirit but she was afterwards taken notice of for her singular Piety and the Lord so ordered that this affliction was not only the means of her Conversion but also of her Husbands so that both of them were a great mercy in the Countrey where they lived promoting Religion according to their power and entertaining and cherishing godly people She lived divers years quieted in her heart and being rich in good works and when she lay on her death-bed Master Dod was sent for to her again who spake of heaven and to fit her for that glory she told him that she felt the comforts of God and that she could as hardly at that time forbear singing as formerly in child-bearing she could forbear crying and shortly after she died There was a Gentlemen related to a noble Family so perplexed in his mind that he hath been known in hard frosts to go barefooted that the pain of his feet might divert his thoughts Master Dod was sent for to him who was his spirituall Physician to heale him It would be long to insist on all particulars of this nature the Lord having made him a happy Instrument for the good of many When he had spent some years in this kind of service by the care and industry of Master Richard Knightley of Preston a worthy Patriot after the death of King James his liberty was procured for preaching again publiquely and then he was setld at Fausley where he preached twice every Lords day There he went over the Gospel of John the Epistle to the Colossions and other Scriptures He was much given to Hospitality at Fausley as he had formerly been at Hanwel so that there was scarce any Sabbath in the year in which he did not dine both poor and rich commonly three or four poor persons besides those that came from other places to hear him He had so large an heart that upon occasion he hath given to some three shillings to some ten shillings to some twenty shillings and when the poor came to buy butter or cheese he would command his maid to take no money of them At Fausley he had quietnesse from the Courts as also at Ashby for in neither of those places was there any Church-wardens He was beholding at Fausley to the Right Worshipfull Family of the Knightleys where his bones was laid He used to bear crosses with much patience and meeknesse being wont to say that Sanctified afflictions were great promotions quoting that of the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 1.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. is much more precious then gold which he conceived to signifie the affliction that
the issue and did accordingly perform it though he were sensible of the great danger of so doing The like resolution he manifested in the question about the Sabbath when opposition was made against the Perpetuity thereof and the Morality of the fourth Commandement a matter wherewith his heart was deeply affected as being an high affront to the Majesty and Authority of God the thoughts whereof seemed to be continually in his mind as was evident by his prayers discourses counsels and endeavours and particularly by that elaborate discourse which he in conjunction with that Judicious Learned and Pious Divine Master Daniel Cawdrey published to the world entituled Vindiciae Sabbathi the latter parts whereof were long ago fitted for the Presse and want but invitations of publishing which might encourage the Stationer to undertake the charge And therefore when reading the Book for Sports on the Lords day bowing to the Altar reading the Service-book there c. were urged he was most resolute against them resolving rather to lose all and suffer any thing then to comply therein and with that resolution went to the Arch-bishops visitation at Welling held by Sir John Lambe where yet he found beyond expectation rather a connivance at him then an enforcement thereof And the like he did concerning the Convocation-Oath in the new Book of Canons in the year 1640. which he vigorously opposed and took a great deal of pains in evincing the unlawfullnesse thereof It is well known also what freedom and faithfullnesse he hath used in reference to the publique affairs as well in his ordinary Sermons at the New Church the Abby and Margarets in Westminster to which places the greatest number of Parliament men did usually resort as in those by special order preached to one or both houses of Parliament some of which are to be seen in print where he spared not to declare fully and plainly what God expected from them and freely to reprove what was amisse For as he was wont to say he did not in that place preach BEFORE them ut coram Judice but TO them authoritativè as by Commission from God and how much soever they might be superiour to him in other regards yet he was in that place superiour to them as acting in Gods Name and therefore would not be afraid to speak whatever was the Will of God that he should tell them notwithstanding any displeasure or danger which might by this means befall him for so doing And upon this consideration we may look upon it as a wise Providence of God so seasonably to take him away a little before those great transactions about the change of Government which were so directly contrary to his deliberate and setled judgment that he would certainly have thought it his duty to Speak much more then others would endure to Hear For although his judgment was clear for the lawfullnesse of Defensive Arms which was the Parliaments case as it was first stated as doth fully appear in that Treatise entituled Scripture and Reason pleaded for Defensive Arms wherein himself of all others had the greatest hand yet was as peremptory against Offensive Arms or attempting the Kings life whose person he judged sacred and inviolable and hath oft expressed himself to that purpose that in case this should ever come to be the question which he hoped he should never see he thought himself bound in conscience by speaking preaching and otherwise to oppose it to the utmost of his power whatever danger he might incurre by so doing which zeal of his though at that time he were like to have prevailed very little with men otherwise resolved yet it might have proved an occasion of much hurt to himself and therefore God in wisdom and mercy thought good to excuse him that piece of service He was in his conversation a man of much temperance and sobriety In his diet he abstained from strong drink altogether Wine he drank very sparingly so far forth only as the necessities of nature did require and did usually content himself to eat but of one dish at a meal and that none of the daintiest even when he had more before him In his apparell he did neither affect to be gay nor costly but decent nor to spend time in needlesse curiosity in dressing As for Recreations he scarce used any but in stead thereof refreshed himself with the Christian converse of Friends accounting time so precious that he would redeem it not only from sports but from sleep also so far as the necessities of nature would permit He was neither wastfull nor covetous but very liberall doing many acts of charity beside what hath been mentioned before to such as stood in need bestowing plenteous relief according as he was able both by his own hands and the hands of others so that those who received it knew not oft-times whence it came And when that eminent work of charity was on foot in Cambridge while he was Fellow of Queens Colledge whereby divers young Scholars who were forced by reason of the wars to fly out of Germany especially of the Palatinate were sent for hither and educated partly in the University and partly under able and godly Divines in the Countrey whereby they might be fitted to do God and their Countrey service when God should give them opportunity to return having here been educated in the knowledge of our language and the way of practical Preaching which hath been no where more eminent then in England which work succeeded beyond expectation he was one of the great actors therein and did contribute liberally thereunto The like assistance also he afforded to divers Hungarians Transilvanians and other strangers who came over into England for the same reason The time of his sicknesse was not long for having spent much of his natural strength in his constant labours in the service of God there was the lesse work for sicknesse to do His deportment therein was holy and heavenly His humility faith patience and submission to Gods Will eminently appearing from time to time and his discourse full of heavenly expressions till the time of his death Not long before his death when one had read to him the 38 Chapter of Isaiah having then some little hopes of his recovery and ready to go to prayer he desired him to stay a while that he might pray first which he did briefly as his weaknesse would permit but very fully both for himself the Kingdom the Church of God and all to whom he stood in any relation The heads whereof were soon after written as near as might be in his own words so far as the memory of those that were then present could call them to mind First blessing God for his goodnesse the night past Blessed be God that hath been so good to us this night Then praying in behalf of himself Great God heal the sinfulness of my nature Pardon all my transgressions Take from me a heart
reverence of the affinity contracted with the King of Navarr That the King had entred into a league with the Queen of England and endeavoured to do the same with the Protestant Princes in Germany which sufficiently shews how he stands affected to the Protestants Moreover that Faith was given to the Prince of Orenge and to the E. of Nassaw his Brother to aid them against the Spaniards That the Kings Ambassadours did daily search into the Counsels of the Duke de Alva and acquainted the King therewith as the King daily informed him That the Navy under Strossius at Broag is rigged for no other end but to disturb the Spansh Fleet and to assist the Prince of Orenge That for himself they need not fear the King having made Friendship betwixt the Guises and him faith being mutually given that neither should injure other To conclude That the King doth all he can to have Peace at home and Warre abroad and to translate it into the Low Countries against the Spaniards wherefore he prayeth his Friends not to trouble his mind any more with suspitions which is now busied with weightier matters and to joyn with him in prayer to God that he would bring those things to a good issue which are well begun for his glory and the good both of Church and Kingdom A little before Count Lodwick with some others had Commissions from the King to surprize some Frontier Town in Flanders On the other side the Duke de Alva had intelligence of every step that Count Lodwick took yet such was his diligence that he surpriz'd Monts in Henault wherewith the Duke de Alva was so netled that he said The Queen-Mother had sent him the flowers of Florence but he would for them return her Spanish thistles but upon further intelligence he was soon pacified Many Lords and Gentlemen of the Religion accompanied the King of Navarr and Prince of Conde to Paris and the King drew many more of them thither who otherwise would have kept their houses under pretence of his Warres in Flanders Count Lodwick was presently besieged in Monts by de Alva whereupon the King gave Commission to Monsieur Jenlis to raise Horse and Foot for his succour but de Alva being acquainted with all his proceedings surprized him which the King seemed to be much grieved at and presently wrote to his Ambassadours in the Low Countries to procure the deliverance of the prisoners He also encouraged the Admirall to send all the help he could to the Rutters whom the Prince of Orenge had levied for the relief of his Brother causing monies to be delivered to him for their pay The Ambassadours of Spain also seemed to be very male-content because the King began Warre in Flanders and the Kings Mother played her part in this Tragedy pretending that she knew nothing of the Kings proceedings and now she did know them she would leave the Court. These juglings were carried so handsomly that the Admirall Teligni his Son-in-law and other Lords were confidently perswaded that the King was wholly guided by the Admirals advice July the last The Rochelers wrote to the Admirall that the Kings Army approached near them that from Xantone and Gascoine it daily wasted the Countrey about them using terrible threatnings against their Town and menacing to plunder it whereupon they intreated his advice especially about receiving eight hundred men which they sought to put as a Garrison into the Town The Admirall made them an honourable answer Aug. 7. assuring them of the care he had over them adding that he found the King so well disposed for Peace that all men had cause to commend him Yet the Rochelers neglected not to look to themselves and to fortifie their Town In other Towns many were the threats of the Papists against the Protestants which much terrified some others relied upon the Admirals presence and favour at Court and to such as suggested doubts to him he said that the King had reconciled the differences betwixt the Guises and him causing both Parties to swear friendship That the King gave his Sister in marriage not so much to the King of Navarr as to the whole Church of the Protestants to joyn with them thereby in an inviolable union and therefore he besought all them that either by writing or words advised him of the hatred of the King Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou or the house of Guise no more to trouble him with those things but rather to commend all in their daily prayers to God and to give him thanks who of his infinite mercy had brought things to so good an end August 17. Henry King of Navarr and the Lady Margaret of France Sister to the King in the evening were conducted to the Louure and the next day were married by the Cardinall of Bourbon in the sight of all the people upon a great Scaffold made before the gate of the great Church in Paris which day was passed over in Banquets Dances and Masks and that very day the Admirall wrote a Letter to his Wife great with child in this tenour Most dear and desired Wife This day was celebrated the Marriage between the King of Navarr and the Kings Sister and these three or four ensuing daies will be spent in Feastings Maskings and Dancings The King hath promised me that after a few daies he will set time apart to hear the complaints which are brought from several parts of the Kingdom for violating the Edict of Peace for the prosecution whereof it 's very necessary that I should improve all my interest with the King For though I have an earnest desire to see thee yet it would be grievous to me and I suppose to thee also if I should be any waies deficient in a business of so great concernment neither will my stay here about it be such but that I hope to come to thee this next week If I should only respect my own content it would be much more pleasing to me to be with thee then to stay any longer at Court for sundry reasons which I may hereafter impart to thee but I must have more respect to the publique good then either to my own pleasure or profit I have some other things to impart to thee so soon as God shall bring us together which I much long for both day and night All that I have for the present to write to thee is only thus much at four a clock this afternoon was celebrated the Masse for the Marriage during which time the King of Navarr walked without the Church with some other Noble-men of our Religion Some other matters of smaller concernment I shall reserve till we have an opportunity to speak together in the mean time most dear and loving Wife I pray for thee that God will protect and keep thee Farewell Paris Aug. 18. 1572. Three daies since I was much tormented with the Stone and Cholick but through Gods mercy they held me not above eight